Powerboats are going green and getting quiet

A powerboat speeds along blue water, leaving a white wake.

By Brian McCowan, Zondits staff, 3/3/2022. Many years ago, I visited a boat and outdoor equipment dealer in rural New England and asked if they sold canoes. The answer, delivered with a sarcastic tone, was, “We don’t sell anything unless it pollutes the air or water, preferably both.” Outboard motors have long been accused of … Read more

Supreme Court Case Has Potential to Override EPA’s Authority

Brian McCowan, Zondits Staff, 2/25/2022. This past Fall, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear a case challenging the authority of the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The case was initiated by the State of West Virginia and members of the coal industry and follows the controversy over the “Clean Power … Read more

What Tune Is Your Electric Vehicle Playing?

Mark D’Antonio, Zondits Staff, 2/23/2022. You know that age-old question, “If a tree falls in the forest…does it make a sound?” Well, here’s a modern-day sonic question: “Since your EV doesn’t make (much of) a sound, should it?” Most of us think of electric vehicles as virtually silent, but it’s reasonable to ask if electric … Read more

PR Firms Have a PR Problem… with Climate Change

Brian McCowan, Zondits staff, 2/18/2022 The business news outlet CNBC is reporting that PR firms are being pressured to change their strategies regarding climate change and their efforts in support of the fossil fuel industry. An article published on CNBC.com this February makes the case that although PR firms prefer to remain in the background, … Read more

A Massive Heavy-Duty Vehicle Charging Network Is Underway

Brian McCowan, Zondits Staff, 2/16/2022. The media focus on electric cars has been relatively intense this past year. Now, interest in electric heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks is growing. All major manufacturers of long-haul trucks have announced plans to produce electric rechargeable trucks in significant numbers, and Ballard Power has successfully tested a … Read more

COP26 Agreements Include Limited Progress

Brian McCowan, Zondits Staff, 2/9/2022. In late 2021, 197 nations met to discuss climate change issues, assess progress, and set international goals. Commonly known as COP26, the 2021 Conference of Parties has been viewed as a qualified success by many, but also as an event that focused attention on the enormity of the challenges ahead. … Read more

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Launches New Grid Initiative

Mark D’Antonio, Zondits staff, 2/7/22. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021 authorizes substantial funding for transmission line improvements to facilitate the clean energy transition in the U.S. Enabled by this law, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a new initiative called Building a Better Grid that commences a process to assess and upgrade … Read more

Portable Power or Super Power?

Brian McCowan, Zondits Staff, 1/28/2022. Gasoline and, more recently, propane-powered generators have been a mainstay for remote construction, emergency power during outages, and recreational camping. But just as with mowers and snow blowers, a cleaner option is now on the market. Electric rechargeable power banks are marketed in a large variety of sizes from units … Read more

Clearing the Way for Electric Snow Blowers

Brian McCowan, Zondits staff, 1/21/2022. The market for new snow blowers in the United States and Canada is projected to grow to $865 million in annual sales by the year 2026 according to market research firm Arizton. Clean power advocates would like to see a major share of the snow blower market transition from gasoline … Read more

Electric Lawnmowers are Changing the Landscape

Brian McCowan, Zondits staff, 1/14/22 Electrification – More than Heat Pumps and Automobiles News regarding the transition to electric end uses and the associated reliance on renewable energy typically focuses on automobiles and heat pumps. As the Zondits articles on electric backhoes illustrates, many additional opportunities exist for adopting the use of rechargeable electric equipment. … Read more